New Delhi [India], August 12 (ANI): The 8th High-Level Meeting (HLM) between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) was held on August 11 in New Delhi, marking another milestone in the strong and enduring maritime partnership between the two neighbors, according to an official statement by the Indian Coast Guard.
The Sri Lankan delegation, led by Rear Admiral Y.R. Serasinghe, Director General of the SLCG, was warmly received by the Indian delegation headed by Director General Paramesh Sivamani, AVSM, PTM, TM, Director General of the Indian Coast Guard. The SLCG delegation is visiting India from August 10 to 14 for the HLM and other professional interactions under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the ICG and SLCG in 2018.
Discussions during the HLM focused on strengthening cooperation in marine pollution response, maritime search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement, along with enhanced capacity building and technical assistance initiatives. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working closely to address contemporary maritime challenges and to ensure safety, security, and environmental stewardship in the shared maritime domain, the statement added.
The meeting underscored the mutual resolve of the ICG and SLCG to deepen operational coordination, share best practices, and further promote regional maritime stability through sustained cooperation. This collaboration builds on the foundation laid during the 7th Annual High-Level Meeting held on November 11 last year in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which marked a significant milestone in combating transnational maritime crime and strengthening regional cooperation.
This annual meeting was conducted under institutionalized mechanisms outlined in the MoU signed in May 2018. The four-member ICG delegation was led by Director General S. Paramesh, while the SLCG side was led by Rear Admiral Y.R. Serasinghe.
The high-level meeting reaffirmed both Coast Guards’ commitment to jointly addressing maritime challenges, including drug trafficking, marine pollution, safety of mariners, adoption of best practices, capacity-building programs, and other collaborative arrangements. The outcome of the meeting reiterated the importance of enhancing mutual cooperation to strengthen maritime safety and security in the region.
About The Author
